I agree with porkpal, there really isn't any reason, unless the bush gets unwieldy or you are finding a lot of dead wood in it. I do occasionally do a radical prune on an ogr that's gotten too big for it's place or just plain ugly when the blooms die off, but yours looks lovely, and the hips that come after the blooms are like a whole 'nother good thing!

Heya, Vicky! I'm guessing it's mostly the rugosas you're wanting to dead head to encourage rebloom, but that is a monster! It would take hours, and a ladder to do it the recommended way! I wonder if shearing off the tips would work?

"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi

gemini_sage said:Heya, Vicky! I'm guessing it's mostly the rugosas you're wanting to dead head to encourage rebloom, but that is a monster! It would take hours, and a ladder to do it the recommended way! I wonder if shearing off the tips would work?

Thats what I was thinking I might have to do Neal but was wondering if other did that.